There has been a sharp decline in the UK study visa applications; the total count is 20% less for the country and 10% less for Chennai alone, according to Bharat Joshi, the British Deputy High Commissioner. He was speaking at the inauguration of the new UK Visa application center at the Ethiraj Salai. Speaking to the press, he said that due to the stricter immigration laws, there has been a decline and the other factors that have led to a decline include shutting down of institutions that are not qualified and the rupee depreciation.

Students coming for study in UK are finding ways to settle down in the UK, and the result is the tightening of visa norms. Some educational institutions that are not maintaining standards and quality education have also closed down. And, the steep increase in the exchange rates might have resulted in a decline of UK study visas. Though there is a decline in student visa applications, there is a 5% increase in overall visa applications. Bharat Joshi also stated that there is good number of increase in student and business visitors. He also added that UK government is also providing a record number of scholarships to the students. He is confident that these measures will lead to an increase in the number of students applying for UK study visa.

The Deputy Commissioner speaking on the overall number of applications said the government has received almost 400,000 visa petitions last year that include 110 applications from Chennai. And 9 out of 10 applications were processed and successful.